The US hockey program has really caught up with the Canadian dito the last years. Record few Canadian kids go in the top 3 etc. Programs are always up and down, and Canada will always produce great young players. McDavid is the best the last 5 years and he was from the CHL. One of the best development curves belongs to Barzal who is a CHL product and so forth.
But a thought I can't avoid to think when I start to watch the kids out there before the 2019 draft -- is it really correct to assume that the Canadian program is down right now, in the sense that it will rebound any year, and that the US program is up and is bound to come down to earth anytime soon?
I know what the thinking has been in Sweden the last decade. Watch the US program, they are taking it to another level and we must be prepared to mirror what they are doing or risk getting caught behind. There has been a lot of talk in Sweden about creating a development team too, but instead adjustments have been made to get those benefits in other ways. A ton of camps. Travelling group of support coaches that works with the top kids. For now, its still considered. But we need to remember that those players on the development team really really are pushed hard and given every possible support they can get. Its the best in the country focusing everything they got on providing perfect development opportunities for them.
Canada have the opposite of a development team. All kids are spread out all over the country and in the mercy of each and every junior team/coach. Add to that a lot of bus travels and often a pretty gruesome game schedule.
When I watch the kids before this draft, I can't help but to think that like the gap between the US kids and Canadian kids is getting bigger, not smaller... The Turcottes, Boldys, Caufields and co have IMO just come further in their development. They especially play at a faster pace. They are more creative and goes to the net and make plays in traffic, as opposed to getting it below the hash marks to go from there. Its not that a Cozens isn't a talented kid, he has all the talent, but how effective will he really be in the NHL? The game is so fast now.